Apple plans to release at least two new Mac Studio models in the future, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. This information suggests that the Mac Studio was not a one-off stopgap product amid the wait for the first Mac Pro with Apple silicon.
In his newsletter today, focused on new MacBooks and other announcements planned for WWDC, Gurman briefly mentioned that "there are also two Mac Studio follow-ups planned, but their timing is less clear." He did not share further details about the new models, so tech specs and release timing remain unknown for now.
Apple released the Mac Studio and its companion Studio Display in March 2022. The high-end desktop computer is available with Apple's M1 Max and M1 Ultra chips, with pricing for these configurations starting at $1,999 and $3,999, respectively. The higher-end Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip is currently the fastest Mac ever released.
In February, Gurman said the next Mac Pro would be equipped with an M2 Ultra chip and offer "very similar" functionality as the Mac Studio. As a result, he said it "wouldn't make sense" for Apple to release a Mac Studio with an M2 Ultra chip, suggesting that the computer might not be updated until M3 Max and M3 Ultra chips are ready at least. If so, the next Mac Studio would likely be released in 2024 at the earliest.
Apple is working on a larger 15-inch MacBook Air, an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, and an updated 13-inch MacBook Pro, and at least some of these new laptops will be announced at WWDC in June, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In his newsletter today, Gurman said the new MacBooks coming at WWDC "probably won't" feature Apple's next-generation M3 chip, and will instead be powered by processors "in line with" the M2 chip. This information suggests the 15-inch MacBook Air will be powered by the M2 chip, but it's not entirely clear what it means for the 13-inch MacBook Air and the 13-inch MacBook Pro, as those models are already equipped with the M2 chip.
Kroger this week began accepting Apple Pay and other contactless payment methods at select locations in Kentucky and Ohio, allowing customers to tap to pay with an iPhone or Apple Watch at checkout, according to customers on Reddit and Twitter.
It's unclear how many Kroger locations are now accepting Apple Pay, or if NFC-based payments will be expanded to all of the over 1,200 grocery stores that operate under the namesake Kroger brand. We have reached out to a company spokesperson for comment and will update this story if we receive any additional information.
Kroger was one of the largest Apple Pay holdouts in the U.S. since the service launched in 2014, alongside Walmart, The Home Depot, and Lowe's. Kroger did roll out Apple Pay at some of its other grocery chains in the past few years, including Ralphs in California, QFC in Washington and Oregon, and King Soopers in Colorado and Wyoming.
Kroger-owned chain Fred Meyer also recently started accepting Apple Pay at its stores in the Northwest, a spokesperson confirmed, while its North Carolina-based banner Harris Teeter tweeted it is "working towards accepting Apple Pay."
In a press release last year, Apple said that Apple Pay was accepted at more than 90% of U.S. retailers, and Kroger is a significant addition. The company also continues to offer its own service called Kroger Pay, which requires customers to scan a QR code at checkout to pay with a debit or credit card stored in the Kroger app.
Apple launched the sixth-generation iPad mini in September 2021, bringing the first major redesign to the device in its entire history – but when is the seventh-generation model expected to launch?
While Apple updated the iPad mini annually from 2012 to 2016, updates thereafter became more infrequent, with just one minor refresh in March 2019 before 2021's redesign. As a device that now seems to stick around for longer in between updates, a hardware refresh in 2023 is not certain, but the seventh-generation iPad mini is the iPad model that is most actively rumored to potentially launch this year.
There have been few concrete rumors about the new iPad mini as yet, but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has said that an update this year with a minor "spec bump" is not out of the question. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the seventh-generation iPad will begin mass shipments towards the end of 2023 or in the first half of 2024 – so while a launch this year is possible, early 2024 seems most likely.
The iPad mini currently contains Apple's A15 Bionic chip. While it is slightly downclocked, the A15 Bionic puts the iPad mini on a level footing with the iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, third-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, and third-generation Apple TV 4K. These six devices with the A15 chip are expected to remain on sale throughout 2023, meaning that the chip is likely to remain quite prevalent across Apple's product lineups.
As a result, the current iPad mini will contain relatively modern chip hardware throughout the entirety of this year. With features like second-generation Apple Pencil support and Center Stage, there is no pressing need to update the device this year and it is not clear what a new model could offer other than a newer chip like the A16 Bionic and more advanced camera hardware.
2023 appears to be shaping up to be a quiet year for iPad hardware refreshes, and while it is possible we could see some new models, the current picture suggests that new iPads this year are unlikely on the whole. 2024, on the other hand, looks like it will be a much more significant year for the iPad lineup.
It's been a crazy few weeks of flip-flopping rumors, and while some of them will be resolved in a couple of months at WWDC, we may have to wait until September or beyond for the full picture to emerge on others.
This week saw back-and-forth reports about the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max volume buttons and mute switch/button. as well as the fate of a fourth-generation iPhone SE, plus we got some fresh rumors about what we might see with iOS 17 later this year. It also looks like Apple is gearing up for the launch of its Apple Card-linked Savings account as soon as this Monday, so read on for all the details on these stories and more!
Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Models Will No Longer Feature Solid-State Buttons
Apple's change in plans was also noted by analyst Jeff Pu, who believes the solid-state buttons have been delayed until the iPhone 16 Pro next year. As a result, Pu no longer expects iPhone 15 Pro models to be equipped with two additional Taptic Engines that would have provided haptic feedback when the solid-state buttons were pressed.
iPhone 15 Pro Now Expected to Feature Two Volume Buttons and Mute Switch Replaced With Button
What a whirlwind of a week for iPhone 15 Pro rumors. The latest information suggests that the device will still be equipped with two volume buttons like existing models, but the longstanding Ring/Silent switch is expected to be replaced with a button.
While a unified volume button is no longer expected for the iPhone 15 Pro, we shared exclusive renders of what the design would have looked like. It's possible that Apple will move forward with this design with the iPhone 16 Pro next year.
iOS 17 Rumored to Improve Search, Dynamic Island, Control Center, and More
Ahead of Apple unveiling iOS 17 at WWDC in June, an anonymous source who shared accurate information in the past has revealed potential new features coming with the update, including improvements to Search, the Dynamic Island, Control Center, and more.
Production of 15-Inch MacBook Air Components Underway, WWDC Launch Looking Likely
Display panel production for a larger-screened 15.5-inch MacBook Air has been ramping up since February, according to analyst Ross Young. He says he doesn't know the "precise launch timing" and assumes it could happen in "late April/early May," but a debut at WWDC in early June is perhaps more likely to give Apple an opportunity to show it off on stage.
Design wise, the larger MacBook Air is expected to feature essentially the same design as the current 13.6-inch model and it appears it will use a similar M2-like chip rather than a next-generation M3 chip.
Apple Card Savings Account Likely Launching Next Week
Apple Card Savings will likely be available starting Monday, April 17, according to backend code on Apple's servers uncovered by @aaronp613. The code also suggests that an iPhone with iOS 16.3 or later will be required to use the feature.
The feature will let Apple Card users open a high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs in the Wallet app and start earning interest on their Daily Cash balance.
iPhone SE 4: Here's What the Latest Rumors Say
Rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE have been circulating since just months after the current model launched in 2022. In an article this week, we recapped the latest rumors about the next iPhone SE, including possible features and release timing.
The current iPhone SE features a 4.7-inch display, a 12-megapixel rear camera, 5G, and the A15 Bionic chip. It is the last new iPhone model with Touch ID sold by Apple.
MacRumors Newsletter
Each week, we publish an email newsletter like this highlighting the top Apple stories, making it a great way to get a bite-sized recap of the week hitting all of the major topics we've covered and tying together related stories for a big-picture view.
With less than two months to go until the Worldwide Developers Conference, rumors about Apple's next-generation version of iOS have been picking up. iOS 17 isn't expected to have a major headline feature like iOS 16's Lock Screen, but there are some notable refinements in the works.
In fact, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, who often provides reliable details on Apple's plans, says that iOS 17 will include "several of users' most requested features," which sounds very enticing. We've since heard hints of what might be coming from a MacRumors forum source that's been reliable in the past, so we thought we'd highlight some of the additions that we might see.
Control Center Revamp
We've had a dedicated Control Center since iOS 7, but it hasn't seen notable updates since iOS 11. That could change in iOS 17, with Apple rumored to be planning to overhaul the Control Center.
The Control Center could get a new look, and it could be more customizable, with users able to select what's shown with more granularity and pick where controls are located for a streamlined interface that's tailored to each person's needs.
Right now, the Dynamic Island can display timers, sports scores, incoming phone calls, low battery alerts, Apple Pay confirmations, charging status, Maps directions, and more, but it is still limited in what it can do, especially for third-party apps.
While we don't have a lot of detail, Apple is allegedly planning to add more functionality to the Dynamic Island to make it more useful. Siri, for example, might transition to the Dynamic Island. When you activate Siri, the Siri icon could be displayed in the Dynamic Island rather than at the bottom of the screen, which would make Siri less obtrusive.
Much Needed Performance Improvements
Before there were a range of quality of life features planned for iOS 17, Gurman claimed that it would be a "tuneup" update focused on fixing bugs and improving performance. Apple still seems to be focused on boosting performance, efficiency, and stability.
Apple is said to be focusing on long-term support for older devices, which suggests that work is being done on making iOS 17 a bug-free update even on iPhones that don't have the latest hardware.
Active Widgets
Apple is "testing" an active widget experience for the Home Screen and Today View on the iPhone, but this apparently isn't a feature that's a sure thing for iOS 17.
Active widgets would be widgets that are more interactive, doing more than simply displaying information or letting you tap into an app. Active widgets could include one-tap buttons, sliders, and more, making widgets more dynamic.
Better Search
New versions of iOS often come with improvements to Search and Spotlight, and it sounds like iOS 17 will be no exception. There's been a lot of attention on ChatGPT and other chatbot experiences that use AI trained on web content, but we're not expecting anything quite that advanced from Apple.
Rumors about improved search have not been specific, but in the past, Apple has worked to streamline search results, locate text in photos and videos, and allow users to search for specific subjects in images. Improvements to all of these features could be coming, along with new search capabilities.
One area that's in dire need of improvement is Apple's in-app search, like the search function for the Settings app. The Settings app often does not provide reliable results for the setting that's being sought, so hopefully this will be under the search improvement umbrella.
Alternate App Stores
European regulations will soon require Apple to support sideloading and alternate app stores, giving customers in Europe a way to access apps outside of the App Store.
Apple is working on including this functionality in iOS 17, but unfortunately, it's only expected to be available for customers living in the European Union. If laws in other countries change, these capabilities could eventually expand, so it will be interesting to see how Apple ultimately handles sideloading.
We can expect Apple to have security checks for sideloaded apps similar to the Mac Gatekeeper function that prevents non-trusted software from being installed, and it's not going to be a way for developers to skirt fees. Apple still plans to charge developers for access to iOS, though the fees may be lower than the 15 to 30 percent that Apple collects now.
Apple has until March 2024 to comply with the new European laws, so while sideloading does not have to be in the first versions of iOS 17 that go out to the public, it does have to be implemented at some point during the iOS 17 development period.
A New CarPlay Experience
At WWDC 2022, Apple showed off a next-generation version of CarPlay that's expected to be implemented in 2023. It includes support for multiple displays in a vehicle, so the CarPlay experience can be implemented on the infotainment system, instrument cluster, and more.
Instrument cluster integration is a new feature that will give CarPlay more control over the vehicle's functions, and it will integrate with the speedometer, odometer, fuel gage, and more. Vehicle climate controls will be accessible directly through CarPlay so you won't have to exit out of the CarPlay system to adjust the heat or the AC, and Apple is also planning to add a series of useful widgets that will display information like trip duration, fuel economy, weather, HomeKit devices, and other details that you might want to have while driving.
Read More
There are even more features rumored for iOS 17, including changes to the always-on display, support for the upcoming AR/VR headset, Health app refinements, and additional Focus Mode filters. We keep track of all of the rumored changes to iOS 17 in our dedicated iOS 17 roundup, so it's worth bookmarking and checking in every now and then to see the latest.
Release Date
Apple will provide iOS 17 to developers after the WWDC keynote event on June 5, and that will give us the first look at the new features. Public beta testers will likely get access a month or so later in July, and then the software will launch in September alongside new iPhone models.
Following the launch of iOS 16.4.1 on April 7, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.4, the previously available version of iOS. With iOS 16.4 no longer being signed, it is not possible to downgrade to that version of iOS after installing the iOS 16.4.1 update.
Apple routinely stops signing older versions of iOS after new releases come out to encourage customers to keep their operating systems up to date, so it is not unusual that the iOS 16.4 update is no longer being signed.
iOS 16.4 was a major update that added new emoji characters, Safari Web Push Notifications, and changes to the beta opt-in method. It also reintroduced the classic Apple Books page turning animation, included new HomeKit architecture, and introduced new features for Shortcuts.
iOS 16.4.1, a bug fix update, is the current publicly available version of iOS. Apple is also testing iOS 16.5 with developers and public beta testers.
Apple's rumored multi-view sports feature will be available for tonight's MLB Friday Night Baseball games, and tomorrow's MLS Season Pass matches, according to Tom's Guide. The feature requires an Apple TV 4K running the tvOS 16.5 beta.
An expansion of the existing Picture-in-Picture split-screen mode, the new multi-view feature allows Apple TV users to stream up to four sports games simultaneously with a four-quadrant screen layout. The report says users can control which game's volume they want to hear by selecting it with the Siri Remote. To enable the feature, users will select the grid icon above the timeline bar, followed by a "More Matches" button.
The existence of the multi-view option was first discovered by Steve Moser last month, but it remained hidden in code. The feature is only available for sports games streamed by Apple through its TV app, meaning it is limited to MLB and the MLS for now. Apple has yet to officially announce when the multi-view feature will be available to the public, but tvOS 16.5 will likely be released within the next month or so.
While the 13-inch MacBook Pro has an outdated design from 2016, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today reported that the laptop will remain part of Apple's lineup, with an updated model said to be in the works alongside other new Macs.
The report does not offer any additional details about the next 13-inch MacBook Pro, so it remains to be seen if the laptop will receive any external design changes, or if it will remain the last new Mac that Apple sells with the Touch Bar. Apple last updated the machine at WWDC last June with the M2 chip and support for high-impedance headphones.
A previous report indicated that the next 13-inch MacBook Pro will be powered by Apple's M3 chip, which the company has yet to announce. It's unclear when the laptop would launch, but a release later this year is likely at this point.
Gurman said Apple is also working on a larger 15-inch MacBook Air with a processor equivalent to the M2 chip, an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, a new 24-inch iMac, and a Mac Pro tower powered by Apple silicon. Last, he expects updated 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M3 Pro and M3 Max chips to be released in the first half of 2024.
An unreleased 15-inch MacBook Air with a processor "on par" with the M2 chip has been spotted in App Store developer logs, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The long-rumored laptop will likely be released by WWDC in June.
The report indicates that the chip in the new MacBook Air configuration spotted in the logs has an 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, just like the M2 chip, along with 8GB of RAM. The laptop has the model identifier "Mac 15,3" and is listed as running macOS 14, which is expected to be announced at WWDC alongside iOS 17 and other updates. The new Air is also listed with a display resolution equal to that of the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
There have been conflicting reports about which chip the 15-inch MacBook Air will use, but the developer logs and Gurman saying the M3 chip is "coming later" suggest that the initial 15-inch model will be powered by the M2 chip, like the 13-inch model.
A larger MacBook Air was first rumored in 2021, with production of 15-inch display panels reportedly ramping up in recent months. It's unclear exactly when the laptop would be released, but it will likely be announced by WWDC, which begins June 5. Apple announced the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip at WWDC last year.
Apple is also working on an updated 13-inch MacBook Air, according to Gurman.
Apple is expected to unveil macOS 14 at WWDC in June this year, but little is known about what enhancements and new features the company will debut with the update. Last year, macOS Ventura introduced Stage Manager, Continuity Camera, FaceTime Handoff, undo send and improved search in Mail, the Weather and Clock app on the Mac for the first time, Shared Tab groups in Safari, and more. We talk through some of the areas where we feel Apple could bring useful changes to the Mac this year, with particular attention to Safari, Mail, Apple Music, notifications, widgets, app organization, and Spotlight.
If you haven't already listened to the previous episode of The MacRumors Show, catch up for our discussion about the design of Apple's upcoming mixed-reality headset with professional product designer Marcus Kane.
Amazon today has the Beats Studio Buds in six colors for $99.95, down from $149.95. This is a match of the all-time low price on the earbuds, and Amazon is estimating an April 16-20 delivery date for most colors.
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We haven't tracked a record low price on the Beats Studio Buds since earlier in 2023, so Amazon's deal is a good opportunity for those who have been waiting for a discount on the AirPods alternatives. Colors on sale include Black, Pink, Red, White, Moon Gray, and Ocean Blue.
For this week's giveaway, we're teaming up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted third-generation AirPods or second-generation AirPods Pro. All of ColorWare's products come in hundreds of unique color combinations.
For those unfamiliar with ColorWare, it is a customization company that has been offering custom painted Apple products and accessories for many years now. ColorWare offers up unique painting options for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, AirTag, and Magic Mouse, plus it also provides custom painting for Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony devices, including consoles and controllers.
Custom-colored third-generation AirPods can be purchased from ColorWare for $329, which includes custom painting for both the AirPods and the accompanying MagSafe case. Custom AirPods Pro 2 can be purchased from ColorWare for $389. There's definitely a premium for ordering from ColorWare, but since Apple only makes AirPods and AirPods Pro in white, going through ColorWare is the only way to get AirPods in black, red, blue, pink, or dozens of other colors.
ColorWare offers both solid and metallic paint options, with gloss and matte finishes depending on your preference. You can get the traditional gray, gold, or silver colors to match Apple's devices, but there are also colors in every shade of the rainbow. If you want AirPods or AirPods Pro in yellow, orange, teal, green, deep purple, blue, pink, or one of dozens of other colors, ColorWare is your best bet.
Each AirPod can be custom painted in the same color as the case or you can order the case and the earbuds all in different colors, so there are many color combinations to choose from.
ColorWare also has some fun special edition options like the "CowPods" with a black and white cow-patterned case accompanied by AirPods Pro 2 painted either pink or black. There's also a "Supernova" color option that features a glittery, prismatic effect in an array of rainbow colors.
In business since 1998, ColorWare has perfected its painting process. The company uses a multi-step coating sequence that includes a primer, the application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the color. The custom painting is guaranteed for 12 months or 24 months with the purchase of an additional warranty.
ColorWare uses standard third-generation AirPods and second-generation AirPods Pro from Apple and paints them, which leaves the full AirPods functionality intact.
We have two sets of custom-painted AirPods to give away, with each winner able to choose AirPods model and the the color and finish of their choice. To enter to win, use the Gleam.io widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, following us on Instagram, or visiting the MacRumorsFacebook page.
Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older, UK residents who are 18 years or older, and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. All federal, state, provincial, and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.
The contest will run from today (April 14) at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on April 21. The winners will be chosen randomly on April 21 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.
Microsoft last year said it would be ending support for SwiftKey on iPhone, then only weeks later it backtracked and asked users to "stay tuned" for the arrival of new features. The company has now lived up to its promise with a fresh update that, perhaps unsurprisingly, integrates its ubiquitous Bing AI chatbot into the predictive keyboard app.
There are three components to SwiftKey's new Bing integration: Search, Chat, and Tone. As the names of the first two functions suggest, users can now search the web without leaving the app and chat with Bing to ask additional queries and questions. Microsoft says the features can be used when you're talking to a friend and want to look something up mid-conversation, for example.
The third function, Tone, is more clever. It's designed to make it easier for users to communicate more effectively by allowing Bing to act as editor and reword text to fit a desired tone.
As Microsoft describes it, "Whether you struggle to be formal in your work emails, or you're learning a new language and want help with the nuances of word choice, the Tone feature has got you covered, with tones to make your words sound more professional, casual, polite, or concise enough for a social post."
After updating SwiftKey, users will see a Bing icon above the keyboard, and tapping it brings up the three new features. Anyone can use the Search function, but accessing Tone and Chat requires users to sign into their Microsoft Account, which needs to have been approved to access the new Bing preview.
Apple TV+ will be made available to every Canal+ subscriber in France at no extra cost from April 20, Apple has announced.
The move means millions of Canal+ customers will soon be able to access TV+ content directly on their existing set-top box – no separate app or subscription necessary.
"I've long admired Canal+ and their commitment to high-quality programming, so we couldn't be more excited to work with them to bring the award-winning films and series of Apple TV+ into even more homes across France," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services. "This is an incredible offering for Canal+ customers. And through shows like Liaison and Drops of God, we remain committed to the country's creative industries and shining a spotlight on many of its best writers, directors, actors, and artists."
"For the first time in its history, the CANAL+ Group has chosen to offer access to content from a partner platform to all of its subscribers in France," said Maxime Saada, chairman and CEO of CANAL+ Group. "With this historic partnership, we are consolidating both our business as an aggregator, through carrying Apple TV+, and our business as a publisher, with the broadcasting of select Apple Original series on our CANAL+ channel, to the delight of our subscribers."
This is the second time Apple has joined forces with Canal+ to increase its presence in French homes. In May 2018, Apple partnered with the premium TV company to allow subscribers in France to opt to receive an Apple TV 4K on a rental basis in lieu of a traditional cable box.
Apple has started testing iOS 16.6 internally, according to our website's analytics logs, which have proven to be a reliable indicator of upcoming software updates. iOS 16.6 will likely be one of the last updates in the iOS 16 software cycle.
It's still too early to know when the first beta of iOS 16.6 will be released, but the first betas of iOS 13.6, iOS 14.6, and iOS 15.6 were all made available to developers prior to WWDC over the last three years. WWDC is scheduled for June 5 through June 9 this year and is where Apple will announce iOS 17 and other new software.
iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon. With the Apple Card's savings account expected to launch next week, iMessage Contact Key Verification will be one of the only previously-announced iOS features that has yet to launch, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.
In the meantime, iOS 16.5 remains in beta testing. So far, only two notable changes have been discovered in the update, including the addition of a Sports tab in the Apple News app and the ability to start a screen recording with Siri.
Apple has decided to make a last minute design update to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the two devices will not feature the unified volume button that has been rumored for the last several weeks, according to Unknownz21. Instead, the iPhone 15 Pro models will have a two-button design for the volume module, which will look similar to the two-button design on the iPhone 14 Pro models.
While Apple is planning to revert back to two buttons instead of the planned unified volume button, there will still be a change to the mute switch. Rather than a switch, Apple will use a physical button. Internally, this button has been referred to as the "ringer button" or the "action button," and rumors have suggested that it could be a customizable button that is similar to the Apple Watch Ultra Action button.
Up until earlier this week, Apple was still working on a unified, solid-state volume button that offered haptic feedback rather than a physical button mechanism. Apple abandoned the solid-state button design on Tuesday, and Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says the change was due to "unresolved technical issues."
At the time, Kuo said that Apple would revert back to a "traditional physical button design," but it was not clear if Apple would continue to use the unified button that it had designed or if the company would swap back to a two-button design. Unknownz21's sources today learned that Apple will opt to revert to two buttons, delaying the unified button design until the iPhone 16 Pro.
Earlier today, MacRumors shared renders of what the iPhone 15 Pro models would have looked like with the unified volume button design. This is the design that Apple planned on using for most of the iPhone 15 Pro development period, and it is just this week that the change was made to shift back to the old design.
Unfortunately, we were working on these renders before we got the news about the solid-state button change, and we did not hear about Apple's revised plans for the buttons until after the renders were published. The renders we shared are now representative of the solid-state button design that Apple planned to use for the iPhone 15 Pro, which will not be the final design.
The renders offer a look at what the design might have been had Apple stuck with solid-state technology, and they feature the button design that Apple is likely to adopt for the iPhone 16 Pro models. Though delayed for now, Apple is continuing to work on haptic buttons, and the company is expected to implement the technology in next year's Pro iPhone models.
Apple will use standard mechanical buttons for both the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models, but as mentioned before, the mute button that is in the renders remains accurate. Apple is expected to use a mute button instead of a mute switch for the iPhone 15 Pro lineup. These design changes are able to be made because the devices are still in the Engineering Validation Test stage and have not reached final production.
Apple did create some iPhone 15 Pro models that have solid-state buttons and the volume button design that we shared, and these will be used internally for testing to ensure the technology is ready for the iPhone 16 lineup.
Renders, case makers' dummies, CADs, and other leaked information that has depicted a unified volume button is now out of date due to Apple's late design shift. Late stage design changes are unusual for Apple, but do happen when there are issues with a feature that can't be worked out in time for launch.
The AirPower, for example, was nixed entirely after Apple could not get it to work as intended. Back in 2011, there were widespread rumors of a teardrop design for the iPhone 5 that did not pan out after Apple went with a different design, and with the third-generation iPod touch, Apple added a camera during the design stages and then removed it from the final product.
There are a number of new features still rumored for the iPhone 15 Pro models, such as a titanium frame, a faster A17 chip, periscope lens technology (iPhone 15 Pro Max only), thinner display bezels, and a USB-C port instead of a Lightning port.
Google today shared details on several optimizations that have been added to the Chrome browser on the Mac, which have made the browser "faster than ever" on Apple's Speedometer browser benchmark.
Google says that with the latest release of Chrome, the company went "deep under the hood" to find new opportunities to increase speed and efficiency. Google implemented improved HTML parsing for select CSS and JavaScript functions, and added more efficient pointer compression.
Optimizations were made to how pointers are compressed and decompressed, with Google avoiding compressing high-traffic fields. With the frequency of those operations, there was a notable impact on performance. Frequently accessed objects like JavaScript's "undefined" were also moved to the beginning of memory bases, which allows them to be accessed using faster machine code.
These changes have improved Chrome's speed on Apple's Speedometer 2.1 browser benchmark by 10 percent over the last three months. Google Chrome for Mac can be downloaded from the Google website.
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